Funeral-car.



s. W. MATHER. FUNERAL GAR.

APPLICATION FILED SBPT.10, 1909.

951.193. l Patented Mans, 1910.

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ANDREW a GRAHAM co. FHoTo-LITMQGMFNERS. wAsHwGToN, n.;

S. W. MATHER.

FUNERAL GAR.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.1o, 1909.

Patented Mar. 8, 1910.

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ANDREW B. GRAHAM cov PnuIo-Lewoauwms wAswmcun n. e

UNTTED STATES SAMUEL W. MATI-IER, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FUNERAL-CAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1910.

Application led September 10, 1909. Serial No. 517,158.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL a citizen of the United of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Funeral-Cars, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein eX- plained and the best mode in which I have contempla-ted applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention has for its object the provision of an improved body for automobile funeral cars.

The particular purpose of the invention is the provision of a limousine body in which the immediate mourners and the pallbearers may be carried, and also the provision of a compartment in which the casket may be con veniently carried.

To the accomplishment of this and related ends,` said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings F igure l is a side elevation of a body embodying my invention` the support for the body being diagrammatically represented by two wheels; Fig. 2, is a longitudinal vertical section of the body; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the casket compartment.

The body in general comprises a limousine body E. In the front of the body is provided a compartment A for the driver, this compartment having a side entrance a. Immediately to the rear of the drivers compartment A, is a passenger compartment B. This compartment is provided with two sets of transverse seats b1, the seats in a set facing each other. Between the seats of each set extends a transverse aisle Zn, there being two of these aisles. Opening into each of these transverse aisles Z) is an entrance Z22. Immediately to the rear of the passenger compartment B is a transverse casket compartment D, and to the rear of the casket compartment is a second passenger compartment C provided with two transverse seats c1 and transverse aisle c between the seats, and an entrance c2 into W. Marr-1ER, States, and a resident the aisle. The casket compartment D is preferably arranged so that in the assembled car it will extend transversely substantially over the rear axle. The compartment is provided with a horizontally hinged downwardly swinging door cl, this door when closed reaching only approximately one half way to the roof of the car. Substantially at the level of the top of the door Z when closed, is a shelf d2. This shelf is slidable transversely, and may be removed entirely if desired. Adjacent to the outer end of the shelf cl2, is a second horizontally hinged, downwardly swinging door (Z1, adapted when closed to reach from the top of the first door to the top of the body. These similar swinging doors are hinged to the body of the car. Pivoted laterally to the lower door are two arms da; pivoted to the sides of the casket compartment are two arms d* having their outer ends pivoted to the arms cl3. Similar arms Z5 and d connect the upper of the swinging doors with the compartment walls.

From this brief description the several advantages ofmy improved vehicle body are readily apparent. The passenger compartments afford plenty of room for the immediate mourners and for the pallbearers, these compartments being readily accessible by the side doors and the transverse aisles. The casket compartment is amply supported by being disposed over the rear aXle. The lower swinging door may be opened and lowered into its horizontal position where-it will be supported by the pivoted arms. The door then serves as a projecting shelf .or table, and will preferably have upon its then upper surface, a fixed roller. This projecting table with its roller will render the placing of the casket in its compartment an easy matter. The slidable shelf which horizontally divides the casket compartment into two superposed compartments, may serve as a shelf upon which the flowers may be placed in transit, the upper swinging door serving as a. shelf to permit of easy access to the flowers. The slidable shelf itself may be removed with the flowers thereon, or a small wheeled table may carry the flowers and be rolled in upon the shelf.

It will, of course, be understood that my invention contemplates entrances to the several compartments on one side only, or similar entrances on both sides of the body, as desired.

Other modes of applying the principle of f my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the tollowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

l therefore particularly point ont and distinctly claim as my invention l. A body for a funeral car, comprising a drivers compartment, two passenger compartments, a transverse casket compartment located between the passenger compartments, and a side entrance into each compartment.

Q. A body for a funeral car, comprising a drivers compartment, two passenger compartments, transverse seats in the passenger compartments, a transverse casket compartment located between the passenger compartments, and a side entrance into each compartment.

3. A body for a -funeral car, comprising a drivers compartment, a side entrance thereto, a passenger compartment adjacent to the driver-s compartment, transverse seats in the passenger compartment, transverse aisles between certain of said seats, a side ent-rance to each of said transverse aisles, a second passenger' compartment, transverse seats therein, a transverse aisle between said seats, a side entrance to said aisle, a transverse casket compartment `located between the two passenger compartments, and a side entrance thereto.

4;. ln an auto funeral car, the combination of a drivers compartment, a side entrance thereto, a passenger compartment adjacent to the drivers compartment, transverse seats in the passenger compartment, transverse aisles between certain et said seats, a side entrance to each of said transverse aisles, a second passenger compartment, transverse seats therein, a transverse aisle between said seats, side entrance to said aisle, a transverse casketcompartment located between the two passenger compartments, said casket compartment being disposed substantially above the rear axle of said ear, and aside entrance to the casket compartment.

5. A body for a tuneral car, comprising a L driverls compartment, two passenger com partments, side entrances to said compartments, a transverse casket compartment l0- eated between the passenger compartments, and a horizontally hinged side door to the casket compartment.

G. A body for a lnneral car, comprising a drivers compartment, two passenger compartments, side entrances to said compartments, a transverse casket compartment located between the passenger compartments, a horizontally hinged side door to the casket compartment, and means for retaining said door in a horizontal position when in open position.

7. A body 'tor a funeral car, comprising a drivers compartment, two passenger compartments, side ent ments, a transverse casket compartment located between the passenger compartments, a horizontally hinged downwardly swinging door to the casket compartment, arms laterally pivoted to said door, and arms pivotcd to thejwalls ot the casket compartment and to said vfirst arms respectively.

8. A body tor a funeral car, comprising a drivers compzrtment, two passenger com partments, side entrances to said compartments, ay transverse casket compartment located between tlie passenger compartments, a transversely slidable shelll dividing the asket compartment into two compartments, one above the other, a downwardly swinging door horizontally hinged at the bottom of said compartment, arms laterally pivoted to said door, arms pivoted to the walls of' the con'ipartment and to said lirst arms, respectively, said door when closed reaching only to said shel't, a second downwardly swinging door horizontally hinged to the body adjacent to the end ot said shelf, arms laterally pivoted to said door, and arms pivoted to the walls of the compartment and to said Iirst arms respectively.

Signed by me this 7th day ot September, 1909.

SrtltiUEL YV. Mr-XTHER.

Attested by- Ronnnr H. SEE, JNO. F. Gratin.

1ances to said comparty 

